PPP tight-lipped as Zardari extends trip
Former President of #Pakistan @AAliZardari & VP of the United States Joe Biden met in #Washington tonight. #PPP pic.twitter.com/AXky3zrlFx
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) July 23, 2014
“We are a major party in Pakistan and Zardari is not only a former president but he heads this party and meets important world leaders whenever he is abroad,” PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira said. He added that a number of issues including the current political situation come under discussion during these meetings.
PPP sources said Zardari was scheduled to spend Eid in Pakistan, but has now extended his stay in the US. He is scheduled to meet US Congressmen and administration officials.
Zardari’s trip comes as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is confronted with multiple challenges, amongst which is the issue of the fate of former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, considered a close ally of the previous US administration.
Incumbent Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly and PPP leader Shehla Raza recently claimed that under the NRO, the PPP consented to a clause under which the military would not take power for three government terms in Pakistan. Raza said then-ISI chief Lt Gen Shuja Pasha and other stakeholders, including the US, were privy to the deal.
Zardari’s spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar refuted the claim and termed the remarks ‘misleading’.
PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira, when contacted, said the party spokesman has already clarified its position through Babar’s statement. When asked about Zardari’s visit, he said: “We are a major party of country. Zardari is not only a former president, but he heads a former ruling party and he meets important world leaders whenever he visits abroad.”
He said during these informal meetings a number of issues including political situation and general matters came under discussion.
PPP Secretary General Senator Jahangir Badar also claimed that he was unaware of Zardari’s schedule in the United States and skipped questions regarding Shehla Raza’s claims.
Meanwhile, according to a statement, Zardari and Biden discussed Operation Zarb-e-Azb and other regional and bilateral issues during their meeting. They also exchanged views on the regional situation after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 24th, 2014.
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AZ must be up-to something! Inviting yourself to a "Free White House Iftaar Dinner" is not gutsy. Meeting future team members is schematic. It depends who else ZA hung-out with and shared Ph #s, lol! Maybe he happened to be in Washington for site-seeing. We all know he love parties... of all kinds, lol.
The cat is out of the bag. Today's media had reported that AZ's meeting with Biden was a casual meeting and unplanned which lasted for 5 mins only over an Iftar dinner. And here PPP trying to elevate AZ stature as if he met for a reason. Cheap political stunt. LOLLLL. This is funny indeed.
He will wait to see what happens on August 14th. Does not to be around to face the "Inquisition"
Meeting his masters to remain in power for next elections in Pakistan.
No matter where the nation go.
Look how cheerful and subservient our "leaders" appear when visiting their patrons abroad, while in Pakistan they're all serious and stern, bordering on rude.
Everything zardari does revolves around either protection of the loot money or new attempts at further loot opportunities
This must be giving NS sleepless nights. May be that is why he is house hunting in Saudia.
Former President of Pakistan receiving his marching orders. NRO part 2? Oh the sovereignty of her sovereignty when she is sovereign. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Maybe he is planning to run for UN Secretary General's post, lol!